NOVA 38th in National Cyber Power Rankings!

Posted on October 28, 2019 by blenon

NOVA was recognized as the 38^th top school in the nation during the National Cyber League (NCL) Spring 2019 season competition, beating every other college/university in Virginia. 5,026 students from 419 schools competed in the competition. These rankings represent the ability of students from these schools to perform real-world cybersecurity tasks on the Cyber Skyline platform. Students had to identify hackers from forensic data, pentest & audit vulnerable websites, recover from ransomware attacks, and more. Schools are ranked based on their top team performance, their top student’s individual performance, and the aggregate individual performance of their students.

Here are the specific national stats:

NOVA ranked 38^thin the overall competition
NOVA ranked 38^thin the team competition
NOVA ranked 3^rdin the number of participates
NOVA ranked 164^thin the individuals competitions

In the Eastern division of the competition:

NOVA ranked 18^thin the overall competition
NOVA ranked 16^thin the team competition
NOVA ranked 2^ndin the number of participates
NOVA ranked 65^thin the individuals competitions

Out of the Centers of Academic Excellence colleges/universities:

NOVA ranked 20^thin the overall competition
NOVA ranked 21^stin the team competition
NOVA ranked 2^ndin the number of participates
NOVA ranked 52^ndin the individuals competitions

NOVA’s students couldn’t have done it without the stellar aid of AllCyber’s Director of Training, Bishnu Karki, who is the go-to person for NOVA students competing in Cyber Competitions.

Offical link to ranks and statistics cited: https://cyberskyline.com/data/power-ranking/spring-2019-national

STEM Expos a Success!

Posted on October 28, 2019 by blenon

NOVA Systemic’s recent STEM Expos, NOVA STEM Day at the Loudoun Campus and the The STEMZone at the Youth for Tomorrow Country Fair & Auctions brought hands-on STEM to hundreds of young minds through robotics, maker spaces, coding, laser cutting, mechatronics, lab experiments and more. NOVA STEM Days are held annually on the Alexandria, Loudoun, and Manassas Campuses.

NOVA STEM Day – Loudoun Campus

NOVA’s Loudoun Campus hosted its sixth annual NOVA STEM Day Loudoun Campus on September 28, 2019, welcoming over 500 participants. Families throughout the region participated in free, hands-on activities which included a variety of robotics, coding and gaming activities and lab experiments.

The event was sponsored by the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, NOVA SySTEMic, Micron, and Loudoun County Public Schools. Other participants were Academies of Loudoun, Sylvan Learning Center, and Children’s Science Center.

The next NOVA STEM Day will be held on the NOVA Alexandria Campus on Saturday Dec 7th. You can register for this event here.

Additional details about STEM Day and other Expos can be found at https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/

The STEMZone at Youth For Tomorrow’s Country Fair & Auctions

The weather was perfect and the STEM activities fully explored at our 4th annual STEMZone at the Youth for Tomorrow Country Fair & Auctions on October 5. Students and parents engaged in exciting hands-on activities such as maker spaces, robotics, 3D printers, laser cutters, Osmo, Sphero, Cubelets, Stomp Rockets and more.

As always, participants filled out a STEM Passport when completing designated tasks to be eligible for the grand prize drawing – this year it was an Ollie robot plus full ramp.

The Youth For Tomorrow Country Fair & Auctions brings in about 20,000 people every October, and since many of that number participate in the STEM Zone it is an excellent opportunity to engage students and parents in STEM and bring awareness of NOVA STEM programs.

The Next STEMZone at the YFT Country Fair & Auctions will in early October 2020. For more info visit https://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/

NOVA SySTEMic is the college wide STEM outreach program designed to create interest STEM from early elementary school and extending through high school, with the hope of inspiring more students to enter the STEM workforce pipeline.

Fab Lab Progress Update

Posted on October 28, 2019 by blenon

The new Fab Lab at NOVA’s Battleview Technology Center in Manassas is scheduled to open in January 2020! Most of the equipment is installed and we are currently working on scheduling and program development for 2020. NOVA’s Fab Lab consists of a designated area for NOVA’s Engineering Technology program and a Makerspace area that will be open to the college and community. The Engineering Technology students will have access to state-of the-art equipment such as modular automation systems, high and low voltage electronics, fluid and power control systems and a full “Smart Factory” mechatronics system.

The Fab Lab Makerspace is a unique venue where groups and individuals can come to create, collaborate and use STEM related technology. The technology available include 3D printers, a 3D scanner, vinyl printer/cutters, plastic thermoforming machine, laser engraver, full wood design room with CNC router, and design software including AutoCAD, Auto Desk Inventor, SolidWorks and Adobe Creative Suite.

The Fab Lab Makerspace will be hosting events, workshops, and activities open to K12 students, community members, and college students and staff. Field trips to the lab for public, private, and homeschool students will include a variety of STEM related opportunities for creating and learning, along with summer programming for children. Workshops and trainings will be available on a myriad of topics including use of specific fabrication equipment, wood working, design software, electronics and coding, robotics, electronic fashion design, teacher professional development and more. Furthermore, the lab will also host private and special events, and include open sessions where individuals can use the space to create and work on their own projects.

For more information on Fab Lab programs contact the STEM Fab Lab Coordinator, Lance Lacey, at llacey@nvcc.edu or (703) 530-3504.

New Employee Spotlights – Oct 2019

Posted on October 28, 2019 by blenon

We’re glad to welcome two new team members to the IET division, Brittany Hollis, who is an IET Career Coach and Valerie Seidel, a graphic designer with NOVA SySTEMic.

Brittany Hollis

Brittany holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University (NC State). Before coming to NOVA Brittany worked in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Living Learning Village at NC State as the graduate assistant overseeing the WISE peer mentor program. In this role she planned student development, academic, career, and social events and activities and supported and advised WISE student leader staff.

Brittany also has experience working in Institutional Equity and Diversity departments at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill, piloting new initiatives focusing on equity in Higher Education. She has also presented programs and trainings on issues related to social justice, STEM education, and diversity and inclusion at the local, state, and national level.

Brittany taught High School Biology for two years in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System before moving into the Student Affairs and Higher Education Profession. In her free time, Brittany enjoys listening to podcasts, writing, and all things DIY.

Brittany can be reached at bhollis@nvcc.edu

Valerie Seidel

Valerie started her career as a clothing production coordinator at Ann Inc. in New York City. After college, she secured an Event Coordinator position at Heritage Hunt Golf and Country Club in Gainesville, VA. She was introduced to hands-on STEM through volunteering at robotics competitions for NOVA, and will use her expertise in event management, graphic design, and fashion to promote STEM throughout the community. Valerie holds a bachelor’s degree in Merchandising with a minor in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time, she loves to sew, craft, create, cuddle with her cat and binge watch Netflix.

Valerie can be reached at vseidel@nvcc.edu

STEMZone at YFT Country Fair Oct 5

Posted on September 25, 2019 by blenon

NOVA SySTEMic is returning to Youth for Tomorrow’s Country Fair & Auctions in Bristow to exhibit the STEMzone!

What is the STEMZone?
The STEMZone is NOVA SySTEMic’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Expo at Youth for Tomorrow’s Country Fair & Auctions. The STEMZone includes exciting hands-on activities such as maker spaces, robotics, cybersecurity, coding, 3D printers, laser cutters, stomp rockets and more!

When and Where?
Saturday October 5th 10am – 5pm
Country Fair & Auctions
Youth for Tomorrow Campus
11835 Hazel Circle Drive
Bristow, VA 20136

We Need Volunteers:
Volunteers will help run various STEM stations in our 60×90 STEMZone tent. We will train you on-site to aid and guide Elementary and Middle School students who will be participating in STEMZone hands-on activities. Besides having a great time education and inspiring students, you’ll also receive a free lunch and T-shirt.
Volunteer Shift 1: 9:30am to 1:30pm
Volunteer Shift 2: 1:30pm to 6:00pm
80 slots available/40 per shift
Sign up at volunteer.novastem.us/STEMZone

Hands-On Activities at the STEMZone

OSMO – Coding with iPad (ages 5+)
Use an iPad and the OSMO kit to learn coding. The kit uses physical representation of coding to help Awbie navigate in a self-paced app.

Sphero – Coding with iPad (ages 8+)
Use an iPad and the SPRK+ sphere robot to learn coding. The kit uses an app to drive or code the robot to navigate a maze.

Arduino – Build a stoplight (ages 10+)
The activity consist of assembling an electronic circuit around the Arduino to make a functioning stoplight.

Stomp Rockets – Build and launch a paper rocket (ages 3+)
Use paper to build a rocket with fins and nosecone. Stomp the launcher and see your rocket take flight.

Cubelets – Modular robotics (ages 4+)
Construct robots by snapping the robot blocks together to create unique robots. No coding or wiring required.

Hands-On Demos at the STEMZone

VEX Maze challenge – Drive a VEX clawbot through a maze (ages 7+)
Drive a VEX metal robot through a maze and flip caps and place balls on the field. Park the robot on a platform at the end.

VEX IQ Level Up – Play the VEX IQ challenge game (any ages)
Drive a plastic robot on a field moving and stacking hubs and try to make the robot hang from a horizontal bar.

Laser Engraver – Get your own keychain made (all ages)
The laser engraver will engrave and cut a keychain for you on the spot.

CAD – Test out making 3D designs (ages 6+)
Use Tinkercad or Autodesk Inventor to design 3D objects by grouping together shapes to create an object.

3D Printing – Print 3D objects (any ages)
Demos of multiple 3D printers and how a 3D object gets printed.

Arduino – Project display (any ages)
See multiple starter and advanced projects made up by using an Arduino.

VEX Conveyor – See how assembly line works (any ages)
See a small scale mockup of an assembly line and learn how it works.

Locktronics – Electronics trainer (ages 6+)
Learn electronics in a safe and fun way!

Virtual Simulator – Forklift (any ages)
Learn how to operate a forklift using a virtual reality simulator.

More info about the Country Fair & Auctions at:
http://www.youthfortomorrow.org/country-fair-and-auctions
Admission to Country Fair: $10. Kids 3 and under are free

Scholarship for DCO Students!

Posted on September 24, 2019 by blenon

Are you a NOVA student in the new Data Center Operations A.A.S program? You could win a $2000 scholarship just for answering the question “Why do you want to work In the Datacenter Business?” The Potomac Chapter of AFCOM (Association For Computer Operations Management) has a scholarship agreement with the NOVA Foundation so that students enrolled in the Engineering Technology: Data Center Operations Specialization, A.A.S. Program will be eligible to apply.

Three scholarships of $2,000 each are being offered to cover tuition and associated fees. Additional eligibility criteria include: financial need, academic standing, and having Manassas or Loudoun listed as your primary campus.

Interested in applying or know someone who is? Click here to complete the general application at the Financial Aid Scholarship Portal.

Application deadline to apply is Oct 11^th.

NOVA Career Day Data Center Tour 10-4

Posted on September 6, 2019 by blenon

NOVA Career Day and Data Center Tour
Digital Realty
October 4^th, 2019

Digital Realty is providing a unique and valuable experience to NOVA students to get a behind the scenes tour of its Loudoun Data Center and spend time with industry professionals to learn more about career options available in this growing industry. With a footprint in northern Virginia and 200+ properties in 33+ metropolitan areas covering 30+ million rentable square feet, Digital Realty is the leading Global Data Center Real Estate Investment Trust with 2500+ customers globally.

Students must register by September 9 (no late registrations will be accepted).

REGISTRATION – Students must register in Career Connection at www.nvcc.edu/career-services/career-connection.html for either:

Digital Realty: Career Day and Data Center Tour (WITH BUS TRANSPORTATION)
Space on the bus is limited to 30 so you must RSVP is you want a seat

-OR-

Digital Realty: Career Day and Data Center Tour (NO TRANSPORTATION)
Students arrive at 9:30am using their own transportation

In Career Connection, look for the Digital Realty events under Programs and Workshops. Provide your full name as in appears on your government issued photo ID by September 9. All participants will need to present a government issued photo ID that matches their name on the registration list to enter the secure data facility.

Northern Virginia Community College Bus Transportation– space is limited
Address: NOVA Loudoun Campus, 21200 Campus Dr., Sterling, VA 20164
(location details will be provided to those registered for the bus)

Digital Realty Career Day & Data Center Tour Location – students arrive on their own
Address: Digital Realty – Building G, 43940 Digital Loudoun Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147

Schedule

8:30	Bus arrives at NOVA Community College
9:00	Bus departs NOVA Community College for Digital Realty Loudoun I/II campus
9:30	Bus arrives at Digital Realty @ Building G
9:30-9:50	Security, check-in, name badges
09:50-10:00	Brief Welcome and outline rules for the tour
10:00-10:40	Data Center Tour
10:40-11:40	Career Discussion; panel of speakers from Digital Realty
11:40-11:55	Student Q&A with panel of speakers from Digital Realty
11:55-12:00	Hand out Digital Realty SWAG
12:00-12:50	Lunch; hosted by Digital Realty
1:00	Bus departs for return to NOVA Community College
1:30	Bus arrives back at NOVA Community College

Questions may be directed to novacareerservices@nvcc.edu.

NOVA SySTEMic

Latest News, Events, Articles & Important info!

Author Archives: blenon

NOVA 38th in National Cyber Power Rankings!

STEM Expos a Success!

STEMZone at YFT Country Fair Oct 5

Scholarship for DCO Students!

NOVA Career Day Data Center Tour 10-4